Penn State wanted to end the home portion of its schedule in style Saturday afternoon. And while it didn't start accumulating points — style or otherwise — until the third period, that mission was accomplished.

Penn State men's hockey coach Guy Gadowsky. Penn State Athletics

Curtis Loik's goal three minutes into the third period sparked an offensive attack not seen through the first two periods Saturday, as Penn State scored three third period goals in a 3-0 matinee exhibition victory over Oklahoma in the final contest at Greenberg Ice Pavilion. The Nittany Lions will move to the Pegula Ice Arena, currently under construction, for the start of the 2013 season.

"We didn't have very good second period in terms of our
objectives. With having to kill a penalty going into the third, obviously our immediate focus was to kill that and get back to work," Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky said.

"And then to get back to our objectives. I think we played a little bit of a frantic
game, and the message at the end of the second period was this is our last 20 minutes in Greenberg, in a tie game, so lets figure it out. And they did."

After killing off the remaining 1:35 of a Rich O'Brien minor that carried over into the third period, Loik got Penn State on the board three minutes into the period, and forward Kenny Brooks grew the lead to 2-0 by slinging a wrister past Oklahoma goaltender Colin Fernandes (48 saves) from below the right circle at 11:34.

It was the first of two power play goals the Nittany Lions scored on a five minute man advantage with Oklahoma's Nic Power serving a five-minute boarding major, as Michael Longo batted in a puck out of the air on the cusp of the goal crease that escaped a flailing Fernandes to close out the scoring 14 seconds later.

"I think you could sort of feel it. I'm sure glad we got the first one and not them," Gadowsky said of the energy Loik's goal provided.

"We played a lot better game tonight, especially if you look at where the opportunities came from."

Forward Connor Varley recorded a pair of assists Saturday, setting up Loik's opening goal, as well as Longo's final tally.

"I was just trying to create some offense. Part of our team identity is getting pucks on net," Varley explained.

"My focus is to get pucks in the offensive zone, and good things happen. That's what happened tonight."

Loik's goal gave Penn State (12-13) a leg up, but it was the play of netminder Matthew Skoff that cemented the victory for the Nittany Lions. The freshman turned away all 26 shots he faced, including a 12-shot second period barrage by the Sooners. He was matched by an equally impressive outing from Fernandes, whose final stat sheet was not indicative of his level of play Saturday.

"I think that Colin is a big part of why we are successful this year," Oklahoma head coach Peter Arvanitis said.

"He keeps us in games, and gives us a chance to win. Unfortunately, our offense couldn't help him out."

SLAPSHOTS:

Penn State will close out the 2012-2013 season next weekend with a pair of games against future Big Ten mate Wisconsin in Madison, Wis.

Skoff was named the games' first start, while Loik took home second star honors, and Longo third.

Oklahoma again lagged behind in the shooting and face-off columns, similar to Friday night. Penn State outshot Oklahoma 51-26, while winning 50 faceoffs compared to Oklahoma's 33.

Oklahoma accumulated a game-high six penalties in the third period, including Powers' major for boarding. Chad Liley also received a five minute major for spearing, and a game misconduct, in the period.